Sweet stories for Valentine's Day

For an unexpected Valentine's Day story for children ages 5-10, we suggest "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: a Cuban Folktale" by Carmen Agra Deedy. Martina, a beautiful cockroach living on a stately lamppost in Havana, has never lacked for suitors. But how will she know if they are what they seem? Martina's wise grandmother shares her never-fail method to find out a suitor's true character: the coffee bean test. Skeptical at first, Martina realizes that the strange test is exposing suitors both vain and selfish, but soon worries that she won't find the kind-hearted companion she desires. This jaunty and atmospheric tale is interspersed with Spanish words, and complemented by lively, sunset-hued illustrations.

Board Books

"Baby, I Love You" by Karma Wilson

"Clifford's First Valentine's Day" by Norman Bridwell

"Counting Kisses" by Karen Katz

"Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!" by Laura Numeroff

"How Do Lions Say I Love You?" by Diane Muldrow

"Lily's Chocolate Heart" by Kevin Henkes

"Love" by Rosemary Wells

"Kisses for Daddy" by Frances Watts

"Snuggle Puppy" by Sandra Boynton

"Tucker's Valentine" by Leslie McGuirk

"You Are My Little Cupcake" by Amy Sklansky

Picture Books and Beginning Readers

"The Kiss that Missed!"

A preoccupied King blows the little prince a goodnight kiss, which misses his son and goes out the window and into the spooky forest. The king orders a knight after it, but the easily spooked young fellow cannot catch the mischievous kiss as it pings about the forest startling its inhabitants. Finally, the kiss meets up with a huge and cantankerous dragon, with an unexpected and sweet result. Having seen the errors of his rushed ways, the king makes time each night to read to the prince and anyone one else who might be listening in? By David Melling

"Clever Jack Takes the Cake"

Poor but clever Jack bakes a birthday cake as his contribution to a princess' 10th birthday. Unfortunately, on his perilous trek to the castle, the cake is devoured by all manner of folkloric creatures. Not one to give up, the young lad brainstorms a priceless birthday gift, something that costs no money and delights forever. By Candace Fleming

"Angelina and the Royal Wedding" by Katharine Holabird

"Apple Cake: A Recipe for Love" by Julie Paschkis

"Bear in Love" by Daniel Pinkwater

"The Biggest Valentine Ever" by Stephen Kroll

"The Bookstore Valentine" by Barbara Maitland

"Falling for Rapunzel" by Nancy Wilcox

"Froggy's First Kiss" by Jonathan London

"Grandma's Wedding Album" by Harriet Ziefert

"Guess How Much I Love You?"/"żAdivina Cuanto te Quiero?" by Sam McBratney

'Henry in Love" by Peter McCarthy

"How about a Kiss for Me?" by Todd Tarpley

"How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?" by Jane Yolen

"How My Parents Learned to Eat" by Ina Freidman

"A Kiss for Little Bear" by Else Minarik

"Kiss Kiss!" by Margaret Wild

"A Kiss Means I Love You" by Kathryn Allen

"Lily's Big Day" by Kevin Henkes

"Love, Splat" by Rob Scotton

"Miss Mousie's Blind Date" by Tim Beiser

"Mole's in Love" by David Bedford

"Mouse in Love" by Robery Kraus

"1,2,3 Valentine's Day" by Jeanne Modesitt

"Princess Peepers" by Pam Calvert

"The Ring Went Zing" by Sean Taylor

"Slugs in Love" by Susan Pearson

"Smelly Bill: Love Stinks" by Daniel Postgate

"Snoring Beauty" by Bruce Hale

"The Somebody for Me" by Minako Chibo

"A String of Hearts" by Laura Elliot

"Ten Big Toes and a Prince's Nose" by Nancy Gow

"Valentine Mice" by Bethany Roberts

"A Wizard in Love" by Mirielle Levert

"Woof: A Love Story" by Sarah Weeks

Folk Tales and Non-Fiction

"Bear Hugs: Romantically Ridiculous Animal Rhymes" by Karma Wilson

"Nacho and Lolita" by Pam Munoz Ryan

"The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland" by Aaron Shepard

"Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom" by Marilyn Singer

"Valentine's Day Crafts" by Jean Eick

"Valentine's Day Is?" by Gail Gibbons

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Sweet stories for Valentine's Day

For an unexpected Valentine's Day story for children ages 5-10, we suggest 'Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: a Cuban Folktale' by Carmen Agra Deedy. Martina, a beautiful cockroach living on a stately

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